GLOBAL: Students around the world skip school to protest the government’s inaction on climate change.
By Crystal Hsueh, Editor
After years of anxiously waiting for the older generations to confront climate change, young adults have had enough. On Friday, September 20, students from cities and towns worldwide marched to the streets in protest of their government’s dismissal of our overheating planet. From Melbourne to Manhattan the chant “We are not drowning. We are fighting,” was heard across the globe. The Global Climate Strike was held just three days before the UN Climate Action Summit, where countries came together to discuss methods for tackling emissions of greenhouse gases. According to an eight-country poll that was given to the public, including the US, the UK and Germany, climate change was seen as the most important issue – more important than terrorism and the global economy. Led by 16 year old activist Greta Thunberg, the strike became one of the largest environmental protests in history. “You are failing us. But the young people are starting to understand your betrayal. The eyes of all future generations are upon you. And if you choose to fail, I say: We will never forgive you,” says Thunberg to those at the Summit.
The movement was inspired by Thunberg’s “Friday’s for Future” climate protests where she stood alone outside of the Swedish Parliament holding a handmade sign fighting for government action on climate change. The protest expanded as students began realizing that their futures were the ones at risk, not the older generations’. In rallies around the world the phrases “We vote next” and “Whose future? Our future!” were shouted by Generation Z and Millenials. However, young adults and students were not the only ones that protested against the government – large business corporations also walked out for climate change. The popular ice cream brand Ben and Jerry’s closed down their headquarters and thousands of Amazon employees joined the strike.
In the United States alone over 800 protests took place across the nation. “As the next generation it’s important to stand and draw attention to problems that can honestly determine the success of my life and the life of the earth,” said Doryenna Ammari (12), who attended the Climate Strike in Downtown Riverside. “Education is important but so is the life of our planet and the life of our future kids.” This is not the first time where young adults have come together in protest of an important issue. Other rallies such as the Women’s March and March for Our Lives have proved time and time again the impact that youths have in the social and political world. “I just think that’s something people realize but don’t put into context,” Ammari explained. “It’s not happening in a third world country or on the other side of the planet. It’s here and now and it will not go away unless we will it to. Unless we make it happen.”